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Dear {tag:email},
I hope you're faring well during March madness!
The snow and cold are seemingly here to stay, but that hasn’t slowed me down too much! I was able to get down to Calgary last month for a whirlwind trip and would like to thank the CAHS Calgary chapter, the Women in Aviation – Rocky Mountain High Chapter, the Aircrew Association of Calgary, and the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton for their hospitality and enthusiasm regarding the upcoming convention.
Here in Edmonton I participated in a Young Readers’ Conference, giving sessions on aviation history. While the “kids” – 10 to 15 years old – were not the usual CAHS demographic and were a departure from my usual audiences, like those of us who are 10, 30, or 70 years older, they love listening to stories and seeing pictures of planes!
I was also able to meet with the Ventura Memorial Flight Association folks at the Alberta Aviation Museum for a tour of their impressive project. They have amassed an amazing wealth of information while working on this restoration project and invite you to contact them with Ventura-related research questions: vmfa@telusplanet.net or 780-453-1078.
One of the best parts about being involved with the CAHS are these kinds of connections, and I hope you are finding the speaking, learning, and researching opportunities you want through us! If you have any ideas on how we can do this more (and better), please feel free to contact me: info@daniellemc.com.
Here's hoping the temperature will be above zero for my next newsletter!
Sincerely,
Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
CAHS National President
www.daniellemc.com
National News
2011 Convention in Edmonton (June 22-26)
Registration details will be going out soon by email and mail (for National members), and will also be posted on the website. I've been working hard with our partners and trying to incorporate your survey feedback as much as possible (thanks for your input!).
Several of you wondered what the approximate price for the convention will be. I’m still crunching numbers, but am trying to keep it around the $200 mark – which would include the day trip to Wetaskiwin, two full days of speakers (incl. lunches and breaks), AirFest admission, and several other special events TBA.
 Breaking News: Cold Lake Airshow to be held June 18-19. Another reason to come early to enjoy Alberta’s hospitality!
Please go to the convention page at www.cahs.ca for accommodation information, talk descriptions and speaker bios.
Volunteer and Sponsorship Opportunities:
Would any authors like to donate a recently published book (2010-11) as a door prize?
Would you or your company be interested in sponsorship opportunities for the convention? For as little as $100 you can be featured on our convention web-page, a sponsor Powerpoint slideshow at the convention, as well as all printed materials!
I'm also looking for volunteers for the following areas:
- Photography/videography
- AirFest booth set-up, tear-down and staffing
- Convention registration booth
- Runners/VIP-media hosts
- Book Fair
I’m working on volunteer perks! Please contact me at info@daniellemc.com for more information or to sign up.
The CAHS Journal
The Journal team says the Fall 2010 issue is in the final proofing stages. Once it goes to the printers I will post notices on our Facebook page, Twitter account, and at www.cahs.ca.
Website Updates
Stay tuned for details on members only spaces and logins. Still awaiting word from our contractors…
Chapter News
March 9: Join the Regina chapter at the 600 Wing, Air Force Association of Canada’s dinner. Did I mention members of the Snowbirds air demonstration team will be there too? Tickets are $20. Contact Marion Chase at 585-8477 if you plan to attend.
March 12 in Toronto: "Postwar Canadian Lancasters." Speaker: Author & Historian, Richard Banigan.
March 17 in Montreal: Clive Rustin - former British test pilot. Clive reflects on many of his experiences flying over 160 aircraft types including his post RAF involvement in airships and participation on the display circuit in a variety of old warbirds such as the Venom, Vampire, Hunter & Spitfire.
Member News
Check out Richard Goette’s guest blog on “Canada’s Air Power Thinkers” by clicking here.
New member Caitlin McWilliams of Wilfred Laurier University spoke about Second World War air training stations at the Major Tilston Armoury last month. For the Windsor Star write-up, please click here.
Chris Weicht is planning an Alberta-wide book tour for Alberta Skies in June. Catch him in Lethbridge, Calgary, Vulcan, High River, Nanton, Wetaskiwin, or Red Deer before his talk at the CAHS convention in Edmonton. For more information, please visit his website.
Jim Lloyd in Victoria, B.C., owner of www.avhouse.ca, invites you to watch two new videos he recently posted to YouTube: one on the Mosquito and one on the Lancaster.
If your interests run to trains, automobiles and communications as well as aviation, you should check out the newsletter of the International Association of Transport and Communications Museums. It’s edited by CAHS member Christopher Terry and you can download the most recent issue by clicking here.
Jean-Claude Marcoux recently had a book review published in the Quebec aviation magazine, Plein Vol (Feb-March 2011). Félicitations!
Readers Write Back!
George Mitchell writes: “Our dear friend Russ Bannock has just been awarded the Order of Ontario for his work in aviation. Russ of course was famous during WWII for shooting down 20 of those nasty Buzz Bombs that were flying over London as well as 20 enemy aircraft shot down in his Mosquito. Quite the guy.” Indeed! For more details on his achievement, please click here.
Mystery Airman Image
Can you identify the airman – and CAHS member – in the photograph below? The first person to email Richard Goette at richardgoette@hotmail.com with the correct answer will receive a free drink from him at June’s CAHS convention plus an aviation-themed book. Note: the person in this photo may not identify himself (though Richard says he'll buy him a drink at the convention too)…. Happy guessing!
CAHF 2011 Induction Dinner Reminder
See our very own Bill Wheeler get inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame!
When: Thursday, May 26, 2011
Where: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, ON
Ticket prices: $225 each or $2,500 for a table of eight
Accommodation: you can request CAHF rate at Courtyard by Marriott 905-383-7772 or Motel 6 905-679-3355
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the “Special Events” page on www.cahf.ca or contact David Crone cahf3@telus.net or 780-361-1351 (MT)
Announcements and Events
Speakers sought in GTA
Bob Stobie of the Scarborough/Markham chapter of the Recreational Aircraft Association of Canada writes the following: "We are always looking for speakers for our meetings, which are held on the third Thursday evening of the month (except for December, July and August) at Toronto Buttonville Airport. We take the speaker out for dinner before the meeting." If you're interested in being a speaker, please contact him at bstobie@pathcom.com or 416-497-2808.
Elsie MacGill Northern Lights - Call for Nominations
The Ninety-Nines are accepting nominations for the 2011 EMNL Award until May 15. To find out how to nominate a deserving Canadian woman in aviation and aerospace, click here.
Silver Dart Replica Now in Trenton
The full-scale replica, built by two volunteers over a period of two months is now at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton. To learn more, click here.
New Wing at Canada's Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa
On February 23 - National Aviation Day - CASM unveiled its new wing to the public. To read CBC News coverage, click here.
Upcoming Experimental Aircraft Association Webinars
The EAA has launched a series of free webinars on various subjects. To find out more, click here.
 CSI: Amelia Earhart
“Simon Fraser University forensic psychologist Dongya Yang hopes to extract DNA from the saliva of the famed American pilot from sealed letters supplied by the grandson of well-known Earhart scholar Elgen Long….Funded by the Long family, Yang plans to steam open the letters. They were previously opened at the side so the seals are intact. He then plans to create Earhart’s first genetic profile with the extracted DNA to see if it matches bone fragments discovered in 2009 on the south Pacific isle of Nikumaroro, not far from Howland.” – QMI Agency
Mark Your Calendars:
- May 8: Victory in Europe Day - Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Lancaster's First Flight at the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, AB.
- May 28-29: Toronto Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival. Fly-in visitors to Downsview Airport must register in advance to ensure smooth festival operations. Airport and registration details will be posted on the museum web site www.wingsandwheelsfestival.com by March 2011.
- June 11-12: Air Affair and Air Reunion in Red Deer, AB.
- June 18-19: after a 10-year absence, the Hamilton International Air Show returns this year! More details here.
- June 24-26: Canadian Owners and Pilots Association convention in Langley, B.C. Details here.
- June 30: nomination deadline for Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.
Researcher-to-Researcher
Request from Linda Brubacher, aviation artist and new CAHS member:
"I am always looking for images (especially copyright free/permission granted ones). As to the type of planes - I am currently in love with those colourful bush planes like the Norsemen and others that were painted canvas sides. I am open to other suggestions as long as there is a good story attached to it!"
The Preservation Centre of Library and Archives Canada (Gatineau, QC) is a state-of-the-art facility for the preservation of priceless historical documents. Its vaults overflow with national treasures and rare works of art illustrating Canadian history. Guided tours of the Preservation Centre are offered on the third Monday of every month starting at 1:30 p.m.
Several people sent me the following link, indicating it could be useful to those researching the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan: http://flightontario.com/bcatp-schools.htm
Skyward
 I recently learned John Cameron Turnbull, a National member for many years, passed away December 10, 2010 in Toronto. Aviation connections were many for this Order of Canada recipient: he joined the RCAF as a pilot with No. 419 and No. 424 Squadrons during the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC); he was a member of the Aircrew Association of Toronto; was the Registrar for the Bomber Harris Trust; and VP of the Halifax Aircraft Association. For the full obituary, please click here.
National member Ray H. Healey passed away February 12, 2011. “Big Ray,” as he was known to friends and family, had a lifelong interest in flying with some interesting highlights (as his obituary indicates below):
- “Joined Air Cadets at 11 and achieved the rank of Warrant Officer First Class. He was a member of the International Canadian Air Cadets Precision Drill Team which performed in front of the Royal Family.
- Program Director of the KPMG Team selected by the Management Board of the International Airline Transport Authority (IATA) to lead a strategic transformation in various operational areas of the airline industry.
- Was a lifetime member, past treasurer and past secretary of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA). He enthusiastically participated in numerous CHAA flights over the years and was the air show co-ordinator for all four CHAA events in 2010.
- He was also involved in numerous aircraft reconstruction projects throughout Ontario, including projects at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton and at Trenton through the Halifax Aircraft Association.
- Ray was an active member of the Canadian Legion Branch 422 in Bala for 22 years."
 Alfred “Alfie” McDonald passed away in early February in Ottawa, ON. The following is from his obituary:
“He enjoyed a career in aviation spanning 43 years and enjoyed “High Flight,” having slipped the surly bonds of earth as a member of the Golden Hawks; Guynemer Team; SPAADS & 412(T) Sqn. From 1974 until 1976, he flew with Air Transit and from 1976 until 1991 he flew for Innotech Aviation captaining a Convair 580 on flying projects that involved: Ice Survey in the far north (lots of it there) and never did see the Northwest Passage open; Flew Project work for the ERIM in satellite studies of world crop inventories; oil geologies planned by Canadian scientists of the Remote Sensing Community and the Japanese Space Agency, for which Canada still receives data from Japan’s Satellite Program.” For more details, please click here.
From our friends at Vintage Wings: We say goodbye to Dr. John Sutton Bennett, RAF, MB, BS, FRCSC (C), FACOG, FASAS, LMCC, friend and aviator, doctor and athlete, pacifist and warrior. Click here to learn more.
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter, {tag:email}. Remember, I am always on the lookout for information, events, research questions, and comments! Just email me at info@daniellemc.com.
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